Who's Next: Who is Sam Pittman?
Alabama hasn’t lost a regular-season game against a non-conference opponent since 2007. Yet the Crimson Tide has lost at least once in SEC play in nine of Alabama coach Nick Saban’s 13 seasons.
For that reason, BamaInsider decided to skip straight to the games that matter most when it comes to previewing the coaches Alabama will face in 2020. Today we continue with Arkansas coach Sam Pittman who will face Alabama coach Nick Saban for the first time on Oct. 10.
Story lines
When the news broke, Pittman didn't feel like a home run hire.
Months later, it seems fair to ask if that was the right reaction. Pittman served on a Georgia staff that recruited the top class in the country each of the last three years.
He also served as a position coach for four offensive linemen that heard their names called in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
Pittman coached at Arkansas from 2013-15, so he should have a great idea of the challenge awaiting him.
He's not an exciting name, but that doesn't mean he can't become one.
What's on the line?
Unlike every other coach in the SEC, Pittman shouldn't be burdened by any expectations in 2020.
The Razorbacks have won eight of the team's last 36 games and only one of the last 24 SEC matchups.
Few coaches, if any, could turn things around overnight in the SEC West. Plus, Pittman doesn't have the reputation that Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and Mississippi State coach Mike Leach do.
It's unlikely the Razorbacks are competitive with Alabama or many of their SEC foes in 2020. But if Arkansas can surprise some people, then Pittman's stock could take a major leap.
Because right now, there might be questions, most notably who even is Sam Pittman? However, there's no baggage that his detractors can point to other than his lack of head coaching experience at this level.
Recruiting battles
At this point, it seems that Alabama's top targets are unlikely to include the Razorbacks as a finalist.
Arkansas has averagely recruited the 36.5 ranked class over the last four years. That's not quite the full story, though, because the Razorbacks managed to recruit two top 25 classes in that stretch.
It's seems likely the program has just suffered due to turmoil at the top in addition to some poor results on the field. Pittman should be able to turn things around and get that average up in the coming seasons.
WestGate Luxury Condos - To be any closer, you'd need a ticket
Andrew Bone, of BamaInsider.com, is a real estate broker in the state of Alabama.
Contact Andrew Bone for all of your real estate needs; buyers, sellers, investors, developers. Property management; BoneHomeTours.com Call 205-531-5577 or click here